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History

Industrial parks within the city currently house more than 30 mid to large size businesses with the largest corporation, Palm Coast Data, employing close to 1,000 people. Flagler County has had one of the highest rates of population growth in the United States since 1990, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Further, the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research predicts Flagler County will experience one of the highest job growth rates in Florida between 1995 and 2010.

Developed by ITT Community Development Corporation (Levitt) in 1969, the original development plan encompasses 48,000 home sites on approximately 42,000 acres of the 68,000 acres owned by ITT. Paved street and central water and sewer serve all lots developed within the plan. An extensive water management system was designed to replenish the area's water table, which includes 46 miles of freshwater canals and 23 miles of saltwater canals.

In 1975, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners established Palm Coast Service District, which included almost 40,000 acres. Funds for the district were derived primarily from ad Valorem taxes and were utilized to provide fire services, fire hydrants, street lighting, animal control and emergency services.

Florida had its first serious "wildland urban interface" fire in 1985 with the Palm Coast Fire, which burned 250 homes. Research on this fire indicated that the most important factor was the proximity of heavy ground vegetation to the structure. Thirteen years later, fires struck the same Palm Coast subdivision. The 1998 fires were national news because the whole county was ordered to evacuate and 45,000 people were displaced. Fire suppression organizations responded from 44 states and Florida hosted the largest aerial suppression operation ever conducted in the United States. Because of the massive effort, only 337 homes were damaged or destroyed and 33 businesses burned. It is interesting that the most important factor again was heavy ground vegetation.

In September 1999, the citizenry of Palm Coast voted overwhelmingly by a margin of two to one to incorporate as a council/manager form of government. On December 31, 1999, the City of Palm Coast was officially incorporated. On October 1, 2000, all services were officially transferred from the former Service District to the City of Palm Coast. The five-member City Council is elected at large and serves staggered four-year terms. One member is elected as Mayor. The promulgation and adoption of policy are the responsibility of the Council and the execution of such policy is the responsibility of the council appointed city manager. The city hired its first city manager on April 17, 2000.

The city provides a wide range of services including development services, fire services, street construction and maintenance, parks and recreational activities. Palm Coast contracts with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. The city currently has plans under way for a new City Hall, a town center, new fire stations, and additional lands for parks. Preservation and protection of environmentally sensitive lands is a key goal of this city as it prepares for the future.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 50.72 square miles (131 km²) of it is land and 0.98 square miles (3 km²) of it (1.90%) is water.

The area around Palm Coast has not seen a direct hit from a hurricane since well before 1950. A unique location on the eastern seaboard coupled with prevailing wind and ocean currents have so far managed to steer hurricanes away from the community.

Palm Coast has become a quiet bedroom community for St. Augustine and Daytona Beach workers, while many locals work in Orlando and Jacksonville and commute from Palm Coast.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 32,732 people, 13,628 households, and 10,534 families residing in the city. The population density was 645.4/mi² (249.2/km²). There were 140,929 housing units at an average density of 294.4/mi² (113.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.04% White, 10.27% African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.52% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.71% of the population.

There were 13,628 households out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.6% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.5% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 30.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,570, and the median income for a family was $45,818. Males had a median income of $31,976 versus $24,637 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $21,490. About 5.6% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.